The Sun, Moon, & Herbs (LP)

Dr. John

Somewhere between the New Orleans boogie-woogie rhythms of Professor Longhair and the blues-inflected hard rock of Eric Clapton lies Malcolm John Rebennack, best known by his stage name, Dr. John, The Night Tripper. (Later simply Dr. John) Prolific since the late 1950s, when he made his start as a session musician, later developing a staunch cult following in the 1960s, for his theatrical, elaborate live shows, and darkly psychedelic music, which frequently took cues and inspiration from voodoo ceremonies. As the 1970s went on his music gradually incorporated elements of New Orleans funk and Tin Pan Alley standards, with Billboard chart success following him, as well as numerous Grammy awards.

Dr. John's first taste of mainstream success came in 1971, near the tail-end of his "voodoo" period of music. The Sun, Moon & Herbs was intended to be a three-album set, but was whittled down to a single LP upon its release. Recorded in London, its heart clearly was in New Orleans, containing a murky, foreboding sound, and filled with references to Cajun folklore, and thickly atmospheric production. It was Dr. John's first to reach the Billboard 200 charts, and it included contributions from Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, and The Memphis Horns. The Sun, Moon & Herbs was the last of Dr. John's works as The Night Tripper, before he embarked towards cleaner, and more commercially viable efforts. A must-have for any fan of 70s psychedelia.